The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Category: Five Finds on Friday

11/28/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Jason Inofuentes

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for Five Finds on Friday to come from a reader drawn at random. This year’s winner is Jason Inofuentes, Albemarle County’s Program Manager for Broadband Accessibility and Affordability. Inofuentes’ picks:

1) Santa Fe Enchilada and a House with Salt at Continental Divide. “This is the best kind of comfort food. The chicken is slow-cooked to perfection, the sauce is rich, and you cap the whole thing off with a pumpkin muffin. I sometimes wonder what other goodness Continental Divide serves, but I’ll likely never know.”

2) Meyer Lemon Granita at Smyrna. “I can’t recall anything else I ate the first time we went to Smyrna, I know it was good, but thinking back on it, this dessert is all I can remember. Delicately sweet, and balanced by mint and lemon, it is a perfect way to end a great meal.”

3) Jefferson at Bellair Market. “When I first visited Charlottesville, my friends insisted we get the best sandwiches in town. I was skeptical when we pulled up to a gas station, but 25 years later, this remains one of the best sandwiches I’ve had. And it’s perfect for Thanksgiving.”

4) Huarache at Guadalajara Pantops. “A thick corn tortilla, a thin layer of refried beans, thinly sliced tender steak, cotija cheese, onions, cilantro, and a special set of hot sauces. It isn’t fancy, but it’s perfect.”

5) Princess Cake at Albemarle Baking Company. “When people meet me, they probably aren’t expecting me to ask about their dessert preferences in the first five minutes. But that is the depth of my evangelism for this cake. I want everyone to get to experience the perfect slice of cake, and this is it.”

11/21/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Andy Argaud

In the Charlottesville food community, when one has a need, others rush to fill it. Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from A Squared Pizza’s Andy Argaud, who could use our help. His three-year-old daughter Zoey was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and now the “precocious, funny, and determined 3-year-old who loves unicorns, Bluey and K-pop Demon Hunters” is in the fight of her life. The community is rallying to help Zoey and her family, raising funds for medical expenses, lost income, and basic household needs: How to chip in: “Help Zoey Beat Leukemia.”

Another way to help is by enjoying Argaud’s delicious pizza at A Squared. Argaud has cut back hours, but still opens from 3 – 8 pm. Argaud’s picks:

1) Vietnamese Coffee from Nguyen’s Kitchen. “I’m typically a black coffee drinker but will always make an exception for this. The coffee is strong enough to power through the cream and sugar to make it an excellent treat. Drink before noon though if you dont want to be awake all night.”

2) Jambon Buerre from Belle. “I am a Frenchman at heart, and this sandwich takes me to sitting at a cafe in the middle of Paris. Their baguettes are the best in town, which pairs so well with the salted butter and ham.”

3) Carne Asada Torta from El Comalito. “After living in L.A. for a few years, I have become very particular with my Mexican food, and Comalito always satisfies. The asada torta is meaty, cheesy and spicy, all the makings of great Mexican dishes. Don’t forget the salsa verde.”

4) Chicharrón, Queso and Frijoles Pupusa from AMIGO Mercado Latino. “This place is a hidden gem. The pupusas are filled to the brim inside delicious masa, paired with slaw. Kick it up a notch with their habenero orange salsa.”

5) Chicken Parm with Pink Lady Sauce from Sal’s Caffe Italia. “I might get in trouble for this one as its a ‘secret menu’ item but boy is it good.  A cripsy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella, on top of a bed of pink lady (marinara and alfredo mix) noodles makes for a delicious meal.”

 

10/24/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Amanda Wood

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Amanda Wood, Bar Manager of Tavola, and an entrant in Malt Masters, where top bartenders are vying to create the best cocktail from Virginia Distillery Company’s whisky tribute to Charlottesville. There are 29 herbs, flowers, fruits, and roots in Vecchio Amaro del Capo, which is why it came to mind for Wood as a pairing for The Charlottesville 29 Single Barrel whisky. The pairing worked beautifully and made the base of a fall cocktail available at Tavola throughout the Malt Masters competition: Golden Hour, VDC 29, Vecchio Amaro del Capo, Orchard pear liqueur, butter pecan brown sugar syrup, lemon, Angostura bitters. Wood’s picks:

1) Ham, Egg, and Cheddar on Everything at Bodo’s. “Including my Bodo’s order on Five Finds makes me feel like a true Charlottesville native. No, it wasn’t my great-grandparents on both sides of my family settling down in Belmont and helping to shape the community. It is this breakfast sandwich, posted here, which has sealed my fate. This bagel is a delicious, filling classic and will set your day up for success.”

2)  Bulgogi Stew at Maru. “This dish is the epitome of comfort food. It is a rich beef stew with veggies, rice cakes, and glass noodles served boiling hot. The rice cakes are dense and chewy. and possibly my favorite part. Pair this, or any of their food, with a small jug of makgeolli, which is a sweet, milky, lightly sparkling rice wine. And don’t sleep on the little side dishes served with every entree.”

3) Pupusas at Nuestra Cocina. “Tucked away inside the Marathon on Gasoline Alley – IYKYK – three ladies are cooking up traditional Latin dishes to go. The Salvadoran pupusas are my fave. It’s a thick masa dough stuffed with beans, cheese, and pork, then fried on a griddle. Each one is handmade to order, served with curtido and a thin tomato salsa. Get there early, as they are busy for lunch and close at 2:00.”

4) Margaritas at Continental Divide. “My husband and I had our first date here almost twenty years ago. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, or it could be the vibe, or the amazing staff. I’m looking at you, Jenny!. But, this is my go-to spot for a pre-dinner marg. And yes, that is a thing. I get mine with Vida mezcal and salt.”

5) Shaved Salad at Oakhart Social. “I could not possibly leave this restaurant off my list. I worked here for almost five years, and it is still one of my all-time favorites. But the shaved salad. She is fresh, she is crunchy, she is bright, creamy, and flavorful. This salad is so good that there were riots in the streets when it temporarily came off the menu. Go to Oakhart. Try all of the things. Get the shaved salad. The End.”